The European Union has pledged its “unwavering” support to the government of Ukraine, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, expressing great concern about Russian troop movements.
“Following Russian military activity around Ukraine with great concern,” wrote Borrell online after a phone call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
“Unwavering EU support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Borrell said he would hold additional talks on the matter with Kiev’s top diplomat and foreign ministers from 27 EU countries at a meeting later this month.
Ukraine this week accused Russia of concentrating thousands of military personnel on its northern and eastern borders, as well as on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014.
The Kremlin did not deny the recent troop movements, but insisted that Moscow “was not threatening anyone”.
Reports of an increase came amid an escalation of armed clashes along the front line between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists.
The long conflict has claimed more than 13,000 lives since 2014, according to the UN.
Western leaders, including Joe Biden, said they were on the side of Ukraine.
With Agence France-Presse